Written Answers Wednesday 17 December 2008

Scottish Executive

Broadcasting

Iain Smith (North East Fife) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects Scottish Enterprise to publish an economic development strategy for broadcasting, as recommended by the Scottish Broadcasting Commission.

Jim Mather: This is an operational matter for Scottish Enterprise. I will ask its chief executive to write to you in this regard.

Building Standards

Sarah Boyack (Edinburgh Central) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-15362 by Stewart Stevenson on 28 August 2008, when it will launch its consultation on improving the energy performance of existing domestic buildings.

Stewart Stevenson: The launch of the consultation is being scheduled into the new year to enable us to take account of recent policy developments in this area.

Building Standards

Patrick Harvie (Glasgow) (Green): To ask the Scottish Executive what greenhouse gas emissions from existing non-domestic buildings were in each year since 1989 in million tonnes of CO 2 equivalent (MTCO 2 e).

Stewart Stevenson: Such detailed information on the greenhouse gas emissions from existing non-domestic buildings is not held by the Scottish Government. However, from 2007 information from the Building Research Establishment, it is estimated that the non-domestic building stock in the UK accounts for around 17% of CO 2  emissions per year. This figure includes the energy uses that are covered by building regulations (heating, cooling, ventilation, lighting, etc.) and small power loads (computers, printers, faxes, etc), but excludes industrial processes.

  In addition, greenhouse gas emissions data is published annually in Greenhouse Gas Inventories for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The latest available data, covering the period 1990-2006, was published on 18 September 2008. A copy is available in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 46558), and on the National Atmospheric Emissions Inventory website where more detailed data is also available. http://www.naei.org.uk/report_link.php?report_id=527.

  Whilst emissions from non-domestic buildings are included in the inventories, emissions from existing non-domestic buildings are not reported as specific emission sources.

Building Standards

Patrick Harvie (Glasgow) (Green): To ask the Scottish Executive what greenhouse gas emissions from existing domestic buildings were in each year since 1989 in million tonnes of CO2 equivalent (MTCO2e).

Stewart Stevenson: There is a range of ways in which emissions data can be presented and data given in published reports will vary according to the assumptions made and what is included/excluded.

  However, from 2006 information on carbon dioxide emissions from household energy use for Scotland published by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, it is estimated that the domestic sector in Scotland accounts for 29.6% of CO2 emissions on an "end user" basis that, for example, includes emissions from the generation of electricity used in the domestic sector. This figure is for CO2 only and is based on the UK factor for the amount of carbon per unit of electricity generated.

  In addition, data on greenhouse gas emissions on an "at source" basis is published annually in Greenhouse Gas Inventories for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The latest available data, covering the period 1990-2006, was published on 18 September 2008. A copy is available in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 46558), and on the National Atmospheric Emissions Inventory website where more detailed data is also available.

  http://www.naei.org.uk/report_link.php?report_id=527

Ferry Services

Jamie McGrigor (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding it has given to Argyll and Bute Council for the provision of the Luing ferry service in each year since 1999, also expressed as a percentage of the overall cost of the service, and what funding it plans to provide in future years.

Stewart Stevenson: The Scottish Government has not provided any specific funding to Argyll and Bute Council for the provision of the Luing ferry service. The service is operated by the council with its own funds. While the Scottish Government has no plans to provide funding in future years, £1.564 million previously awarded from the former public transport fund to upgrade the ferry slips, has been ring-fenced and is now lodged with the Highlands and Islands Transport Partnership, for the purpose of improving links to Luing.

Forestry

Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to enable adults over the age of 55 to visit woodlands in the public forest estate.

Michael Russell: The Woods In and Around Towns (WIAT) Programme provides the focus for Forestry Commission Scotland’s work on improving quality of life in towns and cities.

  Since 2005, WIAT has brought 8,000 hectares of woodland into active management, creating 1,000 hectares of new woodland. WIAT Phase II will see a further investment of £24 million over the next three years.

Forth Crossing

Des McNulty (Clydebank and Milngavie) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether agreement has been reached regarding the financial contribution to the cost of the planned replacement of the main expansion joints of the Forth Road Bridge; whether a preferred bidder has been appointed; when the works will be carried out; what the Scottish Government’s contribution will be, and what the projected cost is.

Stewart Stevenson: Following the announcement on 10 December about our future strategy for the Forth crossing, we will be exploring with the Forth Estuary Transport Authority options for the timing, costs and extent of the works to replace the expansion joints.

Housing

Mary Mulligan (Linlithgow) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-18139 by Stewart Stevenson on 5 December 2008, how many and which local authorities attended the seminars about Energy Performance Certificates (EPC).

Stewart Stevenson: Invitations were issued to all 32 local authorities. Robust records have not been kept of attendance at the EPC awareness-raising seminars held by the Scottish Government’s Building Standards Division. However, the 18 local authorities that reserved places at the seminars are listed in the following table:

  

 Angus Council


 City of Edinburgh Council


 Dundee City Council


 East Ayrshire Council


 East Dunbartonshire Council


 East Lothian Council


 East Renfrewshire Council


 Falkirk Council


 Fife Council


 Glasgow City Council


 Inverclyde Council


 North Lanarkshire Council


 Renfrewshire Council


 Scottish Borders Council


 South Ayrshire Council 


 South Lanarkshire Council


 West Lothian Council


 West Dunbartonshire Council



  In addition to the seminars, a further workshop was held at the end of November in Stirling with 30 of the 32 local authorities represented and in excess of 100 local government officials in attendance.

Housing

Mary Mulligan (Linlithgow) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-18139 by Stewart Stevenson on 5 December 2008, whether it will list the housing associations that (a) attended and (b) did not attend the seminars about Energy Performance Certificates (EPC).

Stewart Stevenson: Invitations were issued to 197 housing associations. Robust records have not been kept of attendance at the EPC awareness-raising seminars held by the Scottish Government’s Building Standards Division. However, the 51 housing associations that reserved places at the events are listed in the following table:

  

Aberdeenshire Housing Partnership
Craigdale Housing Association 
Millbank Housing Association


Abertay Housing Association ltd
Dunedin Canmore Housing Association
North View Housing Association


Almond Housing Association
Eildon Housing Association
Ochilview Housing Association


Angus Housing Association
Fairfield Housing Co-operative
Paragon Housing Association ltd


Argyll Community Housing Association
Forth Housing Association
Parkhead Housing Association ltd


Ark Housing Association
GHA
Perthshire Housing Association ltd


Ayrshire Housing Association
Glen Housing Association
Queens Cross Housing Association 


Barony Housing Association
Govan Housing Association
Rural Stirling Housing Association


Barony Housing Association
Hanover Housing Association
Sanctuary Scotland Housing Association


Bellsmyre Housing Association
Hillcrest Housing Association
Scottish Federation of Housing Association


Bield Housing Association
Horizon Housing Association
Scottish Veterans Housing Association


Cairn Housing Association
Key Housing Association ltd
Servite Housing Association


Castlehill Housing Association
Kingdom Housing Association ltd
Trust Housing Association ltd


Cernach Housing Association
Loreburn Housing Association
Weslo


Clyde Valley Housing Association
Manor Estates Housing Association ltd
West Lothian Housing Partnership


Clyde valley Housing Association
Margaret Blackwood Housing ltd
Williamsborough HA


Clydesdale Housing Association
Melville Housing Association
Wishaw & District Housing Association

Housing

Mary Mulligan (Linlithgow) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-18138 by Stewart Stevenson on 5 December 2008, whether it will list the key property industry representatives and private landlords who attended the seminars about Energy Performance Certificates (EPC).

Stewart Stevenson: Invitations were issued to 97 UK Government and Scottish public bodies and private sector interests. Robust records have not been kept of attendance at the EPC awareness-raising seminars held by the Scottish Government’s Building Standards Division. However, organisations with property industry interests, including private landlords, that reserved places are listed in the following table:

  

 Albacalcs


 Barca ltd


 Burness


 Caledonian McBrayne


 Carbon Zone ltd


 Century 21


 Defence Estates


 Dumfries and Galloway NHS


 Elphinstone Holdings


 Glasgow and Community Safety Service


 Graham & Sibbald


 HBJ (Gately Waring)


 Highland Energy Efficiency Advice Centre


 Linkwide


 McGrigors


 National Landlords Association


 NHS Borders


 NHS Fife


 NHS Tayside


 Registers of Scotland


 Ryden Lettings


 SCARF


 Scottish Children’s Reporter Administration


 Scottish Qualifications Authority


 Scottish Rural Property and Business Association


 Scottish Natural Heritage


 Scottish Commission for the Regulation of Care


 Scottish Funding Council


 Shepherd & Wedderburn


 TC Young


 The Planned Maintenance Consultancy


 University of Edinburgh

Justice

Gavin Brown (Lothians) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive, for each assault that resulted in a direct measure being issued by procurators fiscal, whether it will list the (a) type and (b) severity of the assault in each month since January 2007, broken down by sheriff court.

Frank Mulholland QC: The following tables show the number of charges reported to each Procurator Fiscal Office since April 2007 where the initial decision taken by the Procurator Fiscal was to deal with the offending behaviour by means of a direct measure. Information for periods prior to April 2007 is not currently available in the same format.

  The figures do not include direct measures which were not affected by Summary Justice Reform, such as Procurator Fiscal warnings and referrals to the Scottish Children’s Reporter Administration.

  The following tables are broken down by the specific charge actually used. This is the principal indicator of the type and severity of the assault.

  Charge: Assault - Direct Measures (2007-08)

  

 Procurator Fiscal Office
 April 2007
 May 2007
 June 2007
 July 2007
 August 2007
 September 2007


 Aberdeen
 2
 6
 3
 5
 3
 5


 Airdrie
 2
 5
 7
 7
 7
 2


 Alloa
 6
 2
 12
 6
 4
 1


 Arbroath
 4
 4
 1
 2
 6
 9


 Ayr
 3
 0
 5
 0
 8
 3


 Banff
 0
 0
 0
 0
 2
 0


 Campbeltown
 0
 0
 3
 0
 0
 0


 Cupar
 2
 0
 4
 4
 5
 1


 Dingwall
 2
 5
 2
 7
 0
 3


 Dornoch
 0
 0
 0
 0
 1
 0


 Dumbarton
 1
 1
 4
 0
 3
 3


 Dumfries
 2
 7
 3
 3
 1
 5


 Dundee
 6
 12
 13
 12
 15
 12


 Dunfermline
 1
 1
 5
 6
 4
 12


 Dunoon
 4
 5
 0
 1
 2
 1


 Duns
 0
 1
 0
 0
 0
 0


 Edinburgh
 7
 3
 18
 3
 12
 9


 Elgin
 7
 1
 1
 4
 5
 2


 Falkirk
 3
 5
 4
 3
 3
 3


 Forfar
 0
 1
 1
 4
 2
 1


 Fort William
 0
 0
 1
 1
 1
 0


 Glasgow A
 30
 21
 4
 7
 8
 18


 Glasgow E
 6
 7
 7
 7
 18
 8


 Glasgow G
 4
 6
 6
 1
 8
 2


 Greenock
 0
 0
 3
 2
 1
 1


 Haddington
 0
 0
 2
 3
 0
 0


 Hamilton
 4
 6
 1
 5
 8
 19


 Inverness
 5
 12
 3
 6
 3
 7


 Jedburgh
 2
 0
 0
 0
 0
 1


 Kilmarnock
 6
 4
 6
 1
 14
 9


 Kirkcaldy
 2
 10
 5
 8
 3
 10


 Kirkcudbright
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0


 Kirkwall
 0
 0
 2
 2
 0
 2


 Lanark
 1
 0
 0
 0
 9
 0


 Lerwick
 1
 2
 0
 0
 0
 0


 Linlithgow
 2
 2
 1
 0
 0
 0


 Lochmaddy
 1
 0
 2
 1
 1
 0


 Oban
 0
 2
 0
 1
 3
 1


 Paisley
 1
 5
 5
 1
 2
 4


 Peebles
 1
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0


 Perth
 6
 7
 5
 14
 7
 8


 Peterhead
 1
 1
 0
 0
 1
 1


 Rothesay
 1
 0
 3
 2
 0
 2


 Selkirk
 0
 0
 0
 0
 1
 0


 Stirling
 3
 8
 11
 11
 4
 3


 Stonehaven
 1
 0
 0
 2
 0
 1


 Stornoway
 1
 0
 5
 3
 2
 4


 Stranraer
 1
 1
 1
 1
 2
 1


 Tain
 6
 6
 1
 0
 4
 2


 Wick
 2
 0
 0
 1
 0
 2



  

 Procurator Fiscal Office
 October 2007
 November 2007
 December 2007
 January 2008
 February 2008
 March 2008


 Aberdeen
 3
 12
 3
 11
 10
 9


 Airdrie
 1
 7
 5
 11
 5
 7


 Alloa
 1
 9
 7
 2
 3
 7


 Arbroath
 4
 11
 2
 8
 3
 4


 Ayr
 3
 3
 3
 1
 5
 3


 Banff
 0
 1
 1
 2
 1
 2


 Campbeltown
 2
 0
 0
 0
 0
 1


 Cupar
 1
 4
 1
 2
 2
 4


 Dingwall
 3
 7
 0
 4
 2
 3


 Dornoch
 0
 1
 0
 0
 1
 0


 Dumbarton
 3
 0
 2
 5
 3
 4


 Dumfries
 3
 1
 2
 0
 3
 3


 Dundee
 25
 14
 8
 26
 7
 10


 Dunfermline
 5
 8
 5
 4
 9
 8


 Dunoon
 2
 1
 2
 0
 1
 2


 Duns
 0
 3
 0
 0
 0
 4


 Edinburgh
 5
 13
 7
 7
 18
 15


 Elgin
 3
 2
 2
 9
 0
 4


 Falkirk
 3
 5
 2
 6
 5
 11


 Forfar
 4
 3
 2
 2
 2
 4


 Fort William
 1
 0
 1
 1
 0
 1


 Glasgow A
 18
 18
 25
 37
 23
 29


 Glasgow E
 4
 11
 5
 4
 3
 6


 Glasgow G
 0
 5
 5
 8
 6
 5


 Greenock
 3
 1
 1
 4
 4
 4


 Haddington
 2
 0
 0
 0
 1
 1


 Hamilton
 12
 13
 10
 6
 5
 6


 Inverness
 9
 6
 3
 7
 10
 20


 Jedburgh
 2
 0
 0
 0
 1
 1


 Kilmarnock
 4
 15
 3
 11
 0
 18


 Kirkcaldy
 15
 19
 9
 13
 5
 8


 Kirkcudbright
 2
 0
 0
 1
 0
 0


 Kirkwall
 0
 1
 1
 0
 0
 0


 Lanark
 1
 1
 1
 1
 0
 1


 Lerwick
 1
 0
 0
 0
 0
 1


 Linlithgow
 1
 5
 2
 0
 3
 6


 Lochmaddy
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 1


 Oban
 0
 0
 0
 3
 2
 2


 Paisley
 4
 4
 4
 5
 4
 7


 Peebles
 0
 0
 0
 1
 0
 0


 Perth
 3
 5
 5
 4
 3
 11


 Peterhead
 0
 1
 1
 1
 0
 0


 Rothesay
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0


 Selkirk
 0
 0
 0
 0
 2
 0


 Stirling
 8
 6
 1
 8
 2
 14


 Stonehaven
 2
 0
 0
 2
 0
 1


 Stornoway
 4
 0
 1
 3
 1
 1


 Stranraer
 1
 2
 2
 0
 2
 0


 Tain
 3
 3
 1
 2
 0
 5


 Wick
 2
 1
 3
 7
 1
 3



  Charge: Assault - Direct Measures (2008-09)

  

 Procurator Fiscal Office
 April 2008
 May 2008
 June 2008
 July 2008
 August 2008
 September 2008
 October 2008


 Aberdeen
 14
 33
 12
 12
 12
 9
 8


 Airdrie
 17
 14
 5
 4
 11
 7
 7


 Alloa
 2
 6
 3
 4
 1
 2
 1


 Arbroath
 6
 3
 15
 6
 7
 5
 9


 Ayr
 9
 8
 7
 5
 4
 3
 7


 Banff
 0
 0
 15
 0
 0
 1
 2


 Campbeltown
 1
 2
 1
 0
 4
 2
 1


 Cupar
 1
 9
 13
 13
 5
 0
 1


 Dingwall
 6
 3
 3
 2
 3
 1
 1


 Dornoch
 0
 1
 0
 2
 0
 0
 0


 Dumbarton
 2
 4
 1
 5
 8
 1
 2


 Dumfries
 3
 7
 6
 3
 1
 2
 2


 Dundee
 14
 15
 11
 31
 7
 19
 23


 Dunfermline
 10
 11
 12
 28
 7
 6
 13


 Dunoon
 0
 5
 5
 0
 0
 2
 3


 Duns
 0
 2
 0
 0
 0
 1
 0


 Edinburgh
 22
 21
 16
 15
 7
 15
 12


 Elgin
 8
 7
 4
 13
 4
 11
 5


 Falkirk
 9
 6
 13
 21
 2
 2
 1


 Forfar
 12
 5
 4
 7
 1
 6
 4


 Fort William
 0
 6
 4
 0
 0
 2
 2


 Glasgow A
 19
 46
 50
 20
 15
 20
 16


 Glasgow E
 9
 7
 22
 5
 10
 5
 12


 Glasgow G
 15
 4
 12
 2
 9
 6
 7


 Greenock
 1
 3
 4
 1
 0
 5
 1


 Haddington
 2
 1
 2
 0
 0
 0
 0


 Hamilton
 8
 10
 16
 7
 11
 9
 9


 Inverness
 11
 11
 7
 3
 4
 8
 9


 Jedburgh
 0
 4
 0
 1
 1
 0
 0


 Kilmarnock
 19
 46
 9
 10
 6
 6
 8


 Kirkcaldy
 27
 20
 24
 35
 18
 9
 5


 Kirkcudbright
 0
 1
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0


 Kirkwall
 3
 2
 0
 0
 4
 0
 2


 Lanark
 0
 1
 5
 2
 1
 1
 1


 Lerwick
 1
 2
 3
 3
 0
 0
 1


 Linlithgow
 12
 11
 9
 4
 1
 4
 3


 Lochmaddy
 2
 0
 0
 1
 1
 0
 1


 Oban
 3
 11
 1
 0
 3
 0
 1


 Paisley
 22
 6
 5
 3
 0
 9
 7


 Peebles
 0
 0
 0
 1
 1
 0
 0


 Perth
 10
 6
 14
 8
 11
 9
 12


 Peterhead
 1
 2
 3
 1
 11
 8
 0


 Rothesay
 2
 1
 0
 1
 0
 2
 1


 Selkirk
 3
 0
 1
 0
 2
 0
 0


 Stirling
 16
 4
 13
 8
 0
 4
 1


 Stonehaven
 1
 1
 2
 0
 2
 1
 0


 Stornoway
 6
 1
 6
 3
 0
 4
 3


 Stranraer
 1
 0
 0
 3
 0
 1
 0


 Tain
 3
 3
 5
 6
 2
 2
 1


 Wick
 5
 1
 2
 6
 2
 2
 3



  Charge: Assault to Injury - Direct Measures (2007-08)

  

 Procurator Fiscal Office
 April 2007
 May 2007
 June 2007
 July 2007
 August 2007
 September 2007


 Aberdeen
 10
 6
 6
 3
 3
 7


 Airdrie
 1
 2
 0
 2
 1
 0


 Alloa
 0
 0
 1
 0
 1
 1


 Arbroath
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0


 Ayr
 2
 2
 1
 1
 3
 2


 Banff
 0
 0
 0
 1
 0
 0


 Campbeltown
 0
 0
 1
 0
 0
 0


 Cupar
 0
 0
 1
 0
 0
 0


 Dornoch
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0


 Dumbarton
 0
 0
 1
 0
 1
 0


 Dumfries
 0
 3
 1
 1
 0
 0


 Dundee
 6
 2
 5
 2
 7
 4


 Dunfermline
 1
 1
 0
 0
 0
 8


 Dunoon
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 1


 Duns
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0


 Edinburgh
 11
 8
 14
 14
 23
 19


 Elgin
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0


 Falkirk
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 2


 Forfar
 0
 1
 0
 1
 0
 0


 Fort William
 0
 1
 1
 1
 0
 0


 Glasgow A
 1
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0


 Glasgow E
 0
 1
 0
 0
 0
 1


 Glasgow G
 0
 0
 3
 1
 2
 0


 Greenock
 0
 2
 0
 2
 4
 1


 Haddington
 2
 1
 2
 3
 2
 1


 Hamilton
 2
 0
 0
 0
 5
 9


 Inverness
 2
 2
 2
 5
 6
 3


 Jedburgh
 0
 1
 2
 2
 2
 1


 Kilmarnock
 2
 0
 2
 0
 2
 3


 Kirkcaldy
 1
 1
 3
 1
 0
 0


 Kirkcudbright
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0


 Lanark
 0
 0
 0
 0
 1
 0


 Linlithgow
 0
 0
 4
 2
 1
 1


 Oban
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0


 Paisley
 0
 8
 3
 1
 4
 0


 Peebles
 0
 0
 1
 0
 0
 0


 Perth
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0


 Peterhead
 3
 2
 0
 0
 0
 1


 Rothesay
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0


 Selkirk
 0
 1
 1
 0
 0
 2


 Stirling
 0
 0
 0
 1
 1
 0


 Stonehaven
 2
 0
 0
 0
 1
 0


 Stranraer
 2
 1
 2
 1
 0
 0


 Tain
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0


 Wick
 0
 0
 1
 0
 0
 1



  

 Procurator Fiscal Office
 October 2007
 November 2007
 December 2007
 January 2008
 February 2008
 March 2008


 Aberdeen
 1
 7
 2
 3
 4
 7


 Airdrie
 1
 1
 1
 4
 2
 1


 Alloa
 1
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0


 Arbroath
 0
 1
 0
 1
 1
 1


 Ayr
 1
 1
 1
 1
 0
 4


 Banff
 0
 1
 0
 0
 0
 0


 Campbeltown
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 2


 Cupar
 0
 0
 0
 0
 2
 0


 Dornoch
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0


 Dumbarton
 1
 1
 0
 0
 1
 0


 Dumfries
 1
 1
 1
 0
 2
 1


 Dundee
 6
 4
 4
 4
 0
 7


 Dunfermline
 0
 1
 5
 0
 0
 0


 Dunoon
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0


 Duns
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 1


 Edinburgh
 7
 24
 9
 14
 15
 17


 Elgin
 1
 1
 5
 5
 1
 1


 Falkirk
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 2


 Forfar
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 1


 Fort William
 0
 2
 0
 0
 0
 1


 Glasgow A
 0
 1
 3
 2
 1
 5


 Glasgow E
 1
 1
 0
 0
 0
 0


 Glasgow G
 0
 1
 2
 2
 0
 1


 Greenock
 0
 0
 1
 1
 2
 2


 Haddington
 1
 3
 3
 0
 5
 4


 Hamilton
 5
 3
 5
 6
 1
 7


 Inverness
 4
 2
 3
 3
 3
 7


 Jedburgh
 0
 2
 0
 1
 0
 5


 Kilmarnock
 1
 2
 0
 4
 0
 4


 Kirkcaldy
 1
 0
 7
 1
 2
 0


 Kirkcudbright
 0
 0
 2
 0
 0
 0


 Lanark
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 1


 Linlithgow
 0
 1
 3
 1
 4
 3


 Oban
 0
 4
 1
 0
 0
 1


 Paisley
 0
 3
 0
 1
 4
 4


 Peebles
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0


 Perth
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0


 Peterhead
 0
 2
 1
 1
 0
 3


 Rothesay
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0


 Selkirk
 0
 1
 0
 1
 1
 2


 Stirling
 1
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0


 Stonehaven
 0
 2
 0
 0
 0
 0


 Stranraer
 0
 2
 2
 2
 1
 2


 Tain
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 1


 Wick
 0
 1
 0
 0
 0
 0



  Charge: Assault to Injury - Direct Measures (2008-09)

  

 Procurator Fiscal Office
 April 2008
 May 2008
 June 2008
 July 2008
 August 2008
 September 2008
 October 2008


 Aberdeen
 6
 3
 3
 2
 1
 1
 1


 Airdrie
 0
 0
 1
 1
 6
 1
 2


 Alloa
 2
 1
 2
 0
 0
 0
 0


 Arbroath
 0
 0
 3
 2
 0
 4
 2


 Ayr
 5
 2
 3
 1
 0
 1
 0


 Banff
 0
 0
 0
 1
 0
 2
 0


 Campbeltown
 1
 0
 0
 0
 0
 1
 0


 Cupar
 1
 1
 0
 3
 0
 0
 0


 Dornoch
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 1
 0


 Dumbarton
 0
 0
 0
 1
 1
 0
 0


 Dumfries
 1
 1
 1
 1
 1
 3
 0


 Dundee
 3
 3
 5
 3
 1
 0
 1


 Dunfermline
 0
 4
 1
 10
 6
 0
 1


 Dunoon
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0


 Duns
 1
 2
 0
 0
 3
 0
 0


 Edinburgh
 32
 27
 17
 9
 7
 11
 20


 Elgin
 5
 7
 7
 9
 2
 7
 5


 Falkirk
 0
 0
 1
 1
 0
 1
 0


 Forfar
 4
 0
 0
 0
 0
 1
 2


 Fort William
 0
 2
 1
 0
 0
 1
 0


 Glasgow A
 6
 11
 3
 6
 1
 10
 3


 Glasgow E
 3
 2
 0
 1
 0
 1
 0


 Glasgow G
 4
 1
 1
 3
 0
 1
 0


 Greenock
 3
 2
 2
 1
 0
 2
 2


 Haddington
 1
 4
 3
 1
 0
 2
 0


 Hamilton
 7
 4
 10
 4
 1
 2
 3


 Inverness
 8
 5
 3
 6
 3
 2
 5


 Jedburgh
 0
 3
 2
 0
 0
 1
 0


 Kilmarnock
 6
 7
 4
 2
 0
 1
 0


 Kirkcaldy
 1
 2
 5
 2
 2
 0
 5


 Kirkcudbright
 0
 0
 4
 0
 2
 0
 1


 Lanark
 1
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0


 Linlithgow
 4
 9
 13
 5
 4
 2
 8


 Oban
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 1
 0


 Paisley
 2
 2
 2
 2
 0
 0
 1


 Peebles
 0
 1
 0
 0
 0
 1
 0


 Perth
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 2


 Peterhead
 1
 2
 0
 0
 0
 2
 0


 Rothesay
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 1


 Selkirk
 1
 1
 1
 2
 1
 0
 0


 Stirling
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0


 Stonehaven
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0


 Stranraer
 0
 0
 1
 1
 0
 0
 1


 Tain
 1
 1
 0
 1
 0
 0
 1


 Wick
 0
 0
 0
 2
 0
 6
 1



  In addition, there were a total of six other charges involving assault where the Procurator Fiscal decided that it would be appropriate to offer a direct measure. These are detailed in the following table.

  Charge: Other Charges Involving Assault

  

 Procurator Fiscal Office
 Month
 Charge
 Number of Charges


 Edinburgh
 April 2008
 Assault to Injury and Permanent Disfigurement
 1


 Glasgow 
 November 2007
 Assault by Threats
 1


 
 September 2008
 Assault by Threats
 1


 Hamilton
 September 2-07
 Assault and Breach of the Peace
 1


 Kilmarnock
 July 2008
 Assault and Breach of the Peace
 1


 Kirkcaldy
 June 2008
 Assault and Breach of the Peace
 1



  Notes:

  1. The information in these tables has been extracted from the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service’s case management database. The database is a live, operational database used to manage the processing of reports submitted to Procurators Fiscal by the police and other reporting agencies. If a Procurator Fiscal amends a charge submitted by a reporting agency, the database will record details only of the amended charge.

  2. The database is charge-based. The figures quoted therefore relate to the number of charges rather than the number of individuals charged or the number of incidents that gave rise to such charges.

  3. The information relates to direct measures that were affected by Summary Justice Reform – i.e. fiscal fines, compensation offers and combined offers of fiscal fines and compensation.

  No direct measures have been taken in cases involving assault to severe injury, assault involving permanent impairment and assault involving danger of life.

  The case involving Assault to Injury and Permanent Disfigurement was a case where, exceptionally (i.e. because of the high degree of provocation to the accused, a shopkeeper, including racial abuse, disorderly conduct and threats of violence), the Procurator Fiscal concluded that the appropriate course was to offer a direct measure (a conditional compensation offer of £350). Recent guidance issued to Procurators Fiscal in October 2008 makes it clear that there is a presumption in favour of, at least, sheriff summary proceedings where an assault results in any significant injury.

Kinship Care

Margaret Smith (Edinburgh West) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to make sure that all kinship carers receive financial assistance.

Adam Ingram: For the first time ever, the Scottish Government has recognised the needs of kinship carers of looked after children by allocating central financial resources to local authorities to meet the agreed commitment within the concordat to pay a weekly financial allowance to approved kinship carers of looked after children.

  We are funding Citizens Advice Scotland to deliver an independent advice and information service for all kinship carers. The service offers carers confidential advice and information on:

  their legal rights and responsibilities

  financial assistance, including benefits that they may be entitled to

  sources of practical and emotional support to help them cope on a day-to-day basis.

  The Scottish Government is also working constructively with the UK government to resolve issues with the UK benefits legislation. UK ministers have indicated their willingness to address anomalies in benefits entitlement for kinship carers.

Livestock

Jamie McGrigor (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answers to questions S3W-17875 and S3W-17871 by Michael Russell on 27 November 2008, whether it will place in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre information supplied by the Crofters Commission on how much it has spent on the Bull Hire Scheme for crofters in each of the last five years.

Michael Russell: Information on the expenditure on the Bull Hire Scheme is supplied by the Crofters Commission in the Annual Reports for that public body. These are laid in the Parliament in compliance with section 2(4) of the Crofters (Scotland) Act 1993, as amended. Copies of the annual reports are available in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre.

  The cash and resource accounting costs of operating the stud farm can be found in the annual accounts section of the Crofters Commission annual reports for 2003-04 (Bib. number 33883), 2004-05 (Bib. number 37580), 2005-06 (Bib. number 40519), 2006-07 (Bib. number 43711) and 2007-08 (Bib. number 46774).

Parliamentary Questions

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive when it will provide a substantive answer to question S3W-17253, which received a holding reply on 11 November 2008.

John Swinney: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-17253 on 17 December 2008. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx .

Procurement

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many accounts submitted to it by contractors had not been settled within a 10-day period as at 10 November 2008

John Swinney: Following the First Minister’s announcement on 9 October 2008 to aim to hit a 10-day target for payment of invoices to suppliers, the Scottish Government has been putting in place processes and systems to take forward the transition from the existing 30-day target to help ensure we meet this requirement.

  Between 9 October and 10 November the Scottish Government paid 4,804 transactions within 10 days, which is approximately 58% of the transactions paid within the period. The transactions in that period largely originated prior to the new target.

  The latest figures in December are averaging in excess of 80%.

Public Appointments

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it ensures that the registered interests of members, including chairs, of recently established government commissions or bodies are available to the public and, if so, by what means.

John Swinney: Public bodies listed in Schedule 3 of the Ethical Standards in Public Life etc (Scotland) Act 2000 are required to set up, maintain and make available for public inspection a register of interests as required by its members’ Code of Conduct. The Standards Commission for Scotland is currently liaising with public bodies to ensure that a register of interests is published on the website of each public body. Where this is not yet available, registers of interest are available on request from each public body.

Renewable Energy

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to set up a statutory body to undertake the planning, construction and operation of renewable electricity generating facilities to maximise the use of these natural resources, protect the environment and provide the greatest economic and employment benefits.

Jim Mather: The Scottish Government has no such plans. However, we will continue to engage with a wide range of stakeholders to maximise the benefits to Scotland of our renewable energy sector.

Roads

Richard Baker (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive when it will announce a timetable for the construction of improvements at the Haudagain roundabout in Aberdeen.

Stewart Stevenson: The Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route (AWPR) is timetabled to complete in 2012, around the time the STPR starts. Much of the congestion on the Haudagain Roundabout currently comes from traffic which will then travel via the new AWPR route.

  We will address the issue of the remaining traffic at Haudagain and provide whatever improvements may be required prior to handing over responsibility for the existing road to Aberdeen City Council.

Roads

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what estimate has been made of the cost of dealing with snow on the roads this winter; what account has been taken of such cost in the local government settlement, and whether there is any contingency provision if the estimate is exceeded.

Stewart Stevenson: Responsibility for snow clearance on local roads is a matter for Scotland’s local authorities, in which the Scottish Government is investing record levels over the next three years, with overall funding to local government increasing by 13.1% over 2008-11. As our joint concordat between national and local government has reduced the level of ring fencing around funding streams, councils now exercise a greater degree of freedom and flexibility for financing, planning and implementing their own winter maintenance procedures to ensure the safe movement of both vehicles and pedestrians appropriate to the prevailing weather conditions.

  Transport Scotland, on behalf of Scottish ministers, is responsible for winter maintenance on Scotland’s Trunk Road and Motorway network which comprises 2,000 miles or 6.3% of the total Scottish road network. Transport Scotland is investing approximately £8.5 million on winter maintenance this year.

Roads

Ms Wendy Alexander (Paisley North) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive why the Transport Scotland website states that the motorway and trunk road preparation programme is updated quarterly but the version shown at 4 December 2008 has not been updated since June 2007.

Stewart Stevenson: There was little in the way of substantive change to the estimated starts in the preceding period. An updated programme will be published on Transport Scotland’s website shortly.

Roads

Ms Wendy Alexander (Paisley North) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether there have been changes to the motorway and trunk road preparation programme in the last 12 months and, if so, for what reason this has not been publicly reported by Transport Scotland.

Stewart Stevenson: An updated programme will be published on Transport Scotland’s website shortly.

Roads

Des McNulty (Clydebank and Milngavie) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether Jacobs Babtie is involved in both environmental evaluation of the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route and in preliminary design work connected to the project.

Stewart Stevenson: Yes.

Scottish Government Funding

Ms Wendy Alexander (Paisley North) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list any approved capital projects for which contracts were signed (a) in 2008 and (b) since publication of the outline business case for the Scottish Futures Trust.

John Swinney: The information requested for (a) and (b) can be found in the following tables.

  (a) Capital Projects where Contract was Signed in 2008

  

 
 Capital Value (£ Million)
 Date Contract Signed


 Dumfries and Galloway Schools PPP
 109
 January 2008


 West Dunbartonshire Schools PPP
 114
 January 2008


 M74 Completion
 445
 March 2008


 Ravenscraig Sports Complex
 29
 March 2008


 Inverclyde Schools PPP
 80
 October 2008



  (b) Capital Projects where Contract was Signed Following the Publication of the Scottish Futures Trust Business Case

  

 
 Capital Value
(£ Million)
 Date Contract Signed


 Inverclyde Schools PPP
 80
 October 2008

Scottish Government Funding

Ms Wendy Alexander (Paisley North) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-16270 by John Swinney on 23 October 2008, whether it will provide in relation to each of the projects the (a) date of financial close, (b) date the contract was signed and (c) nature of the contract, for example PPP or NPD, and for any project where contracts have not yet been signed the (i) planned procurement method, for example PPP or NPD, (ii) anticipated signing date and (iii) reason for any delay.

John Swinney: The information requested for (a) and (ii) is available from the Scottish Government’s website by following the link and clicking on "Project List – Done Deals" and "Project List – Future Deals" entries. http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Government/Finance/18232/12308 .

  The information for (b) is not recorded separately from the information requested for (a).

  With regards to the information requested for (c) and (i), all the projects listed in the answer to question S3W-16270 have been procured using the PFI procurement route apart from the following projects where the NPD procurement route has been or is being used: Argyll and Bute schools, Falkirk schools, Aberdeen City schools, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar schools, Moray schools, Orkney schools and NHS Tayside Mental Health Development.

  Projects where the Scottish Government is not the contracting authority are not normally tracked beyond the contract signature stage. I am, however, aware of the delays in Aberdeen City schools NPD project due to the nationalisation of the main funder, Landsbanki, the Icelandic Bank. The Scottish Government is being kept informed of developments.

Scottish Government Funding

Ms Wendy Alexander (Paisley North) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-16269 by John Swinney on 23 October 2008, whether it will provide in relation to each of the projects the (a) initial project announcement date, (b) project approval date, (c) contract signing date, (d) type of contract awarded or planned, for example PPP or NPD and (e) reasons for any delay.

John Swinney: The information requested for (a) to (d) is provided in the following table.

  

 Project Name
 (a) Date Project Publicly Announced
 (b) Date Outline Business Case (OBC) Approved
 (c) Date of Contract Signature


 Forth Replacement Crossing 
 February 2007 (original), December 2007 (updated) 
 n/a
 n/a


 NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde – New South Hospital 
 April 2008 
 April 2008
 n/a


 Borders Railway NPD
 July 2006 (original), March 2008 (updated)
 n/a
 n/a


 Moray Council Flood Prevention Scheme for Rothes
 February 2008 
 February 2008 ¹
 Not held centrally 1


 Ravenscraig Sports Complex
 October 2007
 May 2004 (Stage 1 ), August 2007 (Stage 2)
 March 2008


 Broxburn Flood Prevention Scheme 
 September 2007
 September 2007 ¹
 Not held centrally 1


 HMP Bishopbriggs
 January 2007 (original), October 2007 (updated)
 November 2007
 n/a


 HMP Grampian
 October 2007
 n/a
 n/a


 Grampian Emergency Care Centre, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary
 July 2008
 July 2008 
 n/a


 Forres flood prevention scheme
 November 2007
 July 2007 ¹
 Not held centrally 1


 Moray Schools NPD
 June 2004
 March 2004 (original), February 2008 (updated)
 n/a


 Comhairle nan Eilean Siar Schools NPD
 June 2004
 December 2003 (updated), January 2006 (updated)
 n/a


 Orkney Islands Schools NPD
 November 2006
 April 2007 (updated), February 2008 (updated)
 n/a


 NHS Tayside - Mental Health Development NPD
 May 2006
 May 2006
 n/a


 Edinburgh to Glasgow Rail Improvement 
 Published in 2008 IIP 4
 n/a
 n/a


 A90 Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route NPD
 January 2003 (original)
 n/a
 n/a


 M74 Raith Interchange NPD
 Published in 2008 IIP 4
 n/a
 n/a


 M8 Baillieston to Newhouse NPD
 Published in 2008 IIP 4
 n/a
 n/a


 M8 Associated Network Improvements NPD
 Published in 2008 IIP 4
 n/a
 n/a


 NHS Forth Valley - Clackmannanshire Community Health Services Project PPP
 May 2003
 May 2003
 July 2007 


 NHS Forth Valley - Forth Valley Acute Hospital Project PPP
 December 2003
 December 2003
 May 2007 


 NHS Fife - St Andrews Community Hospital and Resource Centre PPP
 August 2004
 August 2004
 November 2007 


 East Dunbartonshire Schools PPP
 March 2003
 August 2004
 August 2007 


 West Lothian Schools PPP2
 June 2002
 February 2006
 August 2007 


 Aberdeen City Schools NPD
 March 2003
 December 2002
 December 2007 


 Falkirk Schools PPP2 NPD
 June 2004
 February 2004
 May 2007 


 Perth and Kinross Schools PPP
 March 2003
 September 2003
 October 2007 


 Dumfries & Galloway Schools PPP
 June 2002
 September 2005
 January 2008 


 West Dunbartonshire Schools PPP
 October 2003
 March 2004
 January 2008 


 Inverclyde Schools PPP
 June 2002
 September 2004
 October 2008


 A7 Auchenrivock Improvement 
 March 2003
 November 2005
 November 2007 


 A77 Haggstone Climbing Lane and Glen App Improvement 
 May 2004
 September 2004 2
 September 2007 


 The State Hospital
 June 2006
 June 2006
 October 2007


 M74 Completion
 June 2006 (original), February 2008 (updated)
 September 2000 3
 March 2008 


 Royal Botanical Gardens Gateway Visitor Centre
 November 2006
 May 2005
 August 2007 



  Notes:

  1. For these projects, the date of OBC approval is not held centrally. The date provided is the date that an official scheme confirmation was sent out by the Scottish Government. Contract details are also not held centrally as these projects have been procured by a public sector body other than the Scottish Government.

  2. There was no OBC for this project. It was approved through the Investment Decision Making (IDM) framework which is in place to allow Transport Scotland to make key investment decisions and monitor programmes.

  3. The OBC was undertaken by Glasgow City Council, South Lanarkshire Council and Renfrewshire Council in September 2000. This was prior to Scottish Government becoming a funding partner. The subsequent economic case for the scheme has been reviewed at various key stages following the Scottish Government becoming a funding partner.

  4. IIP refers to the Scottish Government’s Infrastructure Investment Plan which was published on 27 March 2008.

  Note also for (d) that all projects in the table have been or are being procured conventionally apart from those where PPP or NPD is highlighted in project name.

  With regards to the information requested at (e), projects where the Scottish Government is not the contracting authority are not normally tracked beyond the contract signature stage. I am, however, aware of the delays to two projects: in Aberdeen City schools NPD due to the nationalisation of the main funder, Landsbanki, the Icelandic Bank, and of the decision to hold a public local inquiry in the A90 Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route.

Sectarianism

Bill Butler (Glasgow Anniesland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to develop new sectarianism-awareness campaigns in further and higher educational establishments.

Fiona Hyslop: The Scottish Government has no current plans to develop new sectarianism-awareness projects or campaigns in further and higher educational establishments.

  The funding of Scotland’s further and higher education establishments is the responsibility of the Scottish Further and Higher Education Funding Council. It is for the colleges and universities to determine the learning activity which is offered to students and potential students and which best meets the needs of local communities and businesses.

Social Justice

Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to enable adults from the most deprived areas to visit woodlands in the public forest estate.

Michael Russell: The Woods In and Around Towns (WIAT) Programme provides the focus for Forestry Commission Scotland’s work on improving quality of life in towns and cities. Projects are being supported all over Scotland.

  Since 2005, WIAT has brought 8,000 hectares of woodland into active management, creating 1,000 hectares of new woodland. WIAT Phase II will see a further investment of £24 million over the next three years.

Title Conditions (Scotland) Act 2003

Michael Matheson (Falkirk West) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-9313 by Fergus Ewing on 19 February 2008, when it expects UK ministers to lay the s104 Order in relation to the Title Conditions (Scotland) Act 2003.

Fergus Ewing: The Scottish Government will ask UK ministers to lay the Order in spring 2009.

Wildlife

David Stewart (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many people have been convicted of failing to inspect snares, or cause them to be inspected, at least once every day at intervals of no more than 24 hours, in each of the last five years.

Michael Russell: The information requested is not held centrally.

Wildlife

David Stewart (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many people it understands to have set snares after having seen the tracks of protected species, in the last five years.

Michael Russell: The Scottish Government has not been made aware of any cases of snares being set after that person has seen the tracks of a protected species.

Wildlife

David Stewart (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how it ensures that people do not set snares when they see the tracks of protected species and how this is monitored.

Michael Russell: It is a criminal offence to intentionally or recklessly snare a protected species. As with all wildlife legislation, enforcement is a matter for the police.

Wildlife

David Stewart (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many incidents of protected species being trapped have been reported to it in the last five years.

Michael Russell: The information requested is not held centrally. Any evidence suggesting that a protected species has been snared intentionally or recklessly should be reported to the local police force or wildlife crime officer. As in all other cases involving a report suggesting that a crime may have been committed, it will be a matter for the police to determine how to respond to any such reports.

Wildlife

David Stewart (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will ban snaring in light of the result of a recent opinion poll showing 79% support for a total ban.

Michael Russell: Following an extensive period of consultation the Scottish Government concluded that the balance of argument is in favour of allowing snaring to continue, subject to further regulation to improve animal welfare. This conclusion was set out in my statement to the Parliament on 20 February 2008.

Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body

British Sign Language

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body whether the Parliament routinely translates information into British Sign Language (BSL).

Mike Pringle: The SPCB is committed to the provision of BSL in the Parliament. Routinely, the SPCB considers BSL for all new publications produced by the Parliament and has translated most of the public information leaflets into BSL. The new engagement publication for instance will be the next BSL video produced. BSL translations can also be provided for parliamentary business and public engagement on request.

  Continuous efforts are made to enhance the accessibility of information in the Parliament including its website, publications and official documents which are regularly reviewed through the SPCB Disability Equality Scheme.

British Sign Language

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body whether it has awarded a contract to any organisation to translate parliamentary information into British Sign Language (BSL).

Mike Pringle: A contract was awarded to MPH Accessible Media on 26 March 2007 to translate parliamentary information into BSL. They have completed eight videos, since then, seven of which are on the Parliament website. The contractor is currently translating a further publication on engagement.

British Sign Language

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body whether it will adapt the Parliament’s website to enable British Sign Language (BSL) to be used.

Mike Pringle: The Parliament has a webpage dedicated to BSL and is currently working towards enhancing the use of BSL on the website.

  This is being carried out through the web development project where accessibility issues are being fully considered. BSL users will be properly consulted to identify areas where BSL translation would be most effective on the Parliament’s website.

  Further improvements are being made to accessing BSL videos by embedding these on the Parliament website using Flash, and by providing access via other channels such as the Parliament’s YouTube channel.

  If the Member would like further information on the provision of BSL within the Parliament, the SPCB’s Equality Team is happy to arrange a meeting to discuss the various arrangements in place.